By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 9: Hospitals in Miri are fully prepared to receive victims of the helicopter crash in Long Lellang, Sarawak, as a rescue operation to evacuate those at the crash site got underway at 7.30am today.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the evacuation operation was being carried out by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
“As of this morning, the evacuation operation is being carried out by the rescue teams, namely the Royal Malaysia Police and the Fire and Rescue Department,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.
Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry (MoH) would continue to obtain updates from the authorities on the operation, given the crash site’s remote location and challenging access.
He said the ministry’s three immediate priorities were ensuring the safety of health personnel involved in the Flying Doctor Service (FDS), safeguarding the welfare of the victims’ families and next of kin, and ensuring continuity of healthcare services for communities, particularly those in remote areas.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the ministry’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team had been mobilised to provide assistance to the victims’ families through Psychological First Aid (PFA) and ongoing emotional support.
He said additional assistance, including financial aid and ex-gratia payments, would also be arranged by the MoH for the victims’ families.
“Support was also being extended to FDS personnel affected by the incident,” he added.
Yesterday, a BO-105 helicopter carrying five people, including the pilot, crashed near the Long Lellang Short Take-Off and Landing Airport (STOLport) in Ulu Baram, Sarawak. The helicopter was operating a Flying Doctor Service flight.
Also present at the press conference were Health director-general Datuk Dr Mahathar Abd Wahab and Deputy Health director-general (Public Health) Dr Ismuni Bohari. — Bernama
